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-   -   Front Control Arm Upgrade? (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=883015)

dv657172 11-11-2025 12:00 PM

Front Control Arm Upgrade?
 
Trying to plan for a few upgrades over the winter for my 65 GTO dedicated drag car.

Car has stock front Control Arms, stock springs front and rear (unknown specs), Lakewood 90/10 front shocks & 70/30 rear shocks, Hotchkiss Double Adjustable Upper rear control arms and boxed lower control arms. Car has been very consistent in 60' times and traction has not been an issue off the line.

Considering upgrade my front control arms for more adjustability and weight reduction.

At rest the car has basically zero camber and slight negative toe. However, lifting the front end 2.75" which is full suspension travel my camber goes to -2.6 DS and -1.1 PS while Toe goes to 1.12 positive on both DS and PS.

Thoughts, suggestions, recommendations all welcome.
I have looked at UMI, Global West and TRZ sets.

Thanks
DV

Mike S 11-11-2025 01:23 PM

1 Attachment(s)
I went with Globel West upper control arm on the 67 last year. Made the car very stable at speed but made slow turns a lot harder. Wheels are straight when they come off the ground now.

dv657172 11-12-2025 08:24 PM

Thanks Mike S for the feedback. Guess its not the most popular topic to discuss, lol

Skip Fix 11-13-2025 02:51 PM

The Global arms usually add more positive caster and on my IA/Camaro with a manual box are really tough to turn pushing in the staging lanes! But tracks straight!

dv657172 11-13-2025 04:30 PM

Thanks Skip Fix. Sounds like I may have to hit the gym this winter to get ready for next season. I am also using a manual box with a car and driver weight of 3,500 lbs.

It would be a big improvement to even get positive caster, currently I have -3.9 (DS) and -3.1 (PS).

performerrpm 11-13-2025 05:48 PM

1 Attachment(s)
i have the trz arms on my 65....really nice to look at....but i cant tell you how handle....car still currently underpowered @ 2 hand power

Skip Fix 11-13-2025 05:55 PM

Yea almost enough for me to put power steering back on it!

dv657172 11-13-2025 10:44 PM

performerrpm - I have been thinking about those TRZ control arms. Good reviews on Yellow Bullet and definitely a bit cheaper too which is always nice.

gman005 11-15-2025 10:38 AM

I have the TRZ on my car with a manual box.

dv657172 11-25-2025 05:05 PM

performerrpm & gman005 - what spindles are you running on your TRZ Control Arms?

aaronman 11-25-2025 05:15 PM

I have TRZ upper/lowers on my 68 Bird. It's a drag car with a rack. I run Afco Double Adjustable front shocks which have a larger tube width and Landrum springs. The TRZ's are large enough to install them without modifications. You will need to align the front end afterwards and may need a bump steer kit installed. Take your car to a person familiar with bump steer modifications and good luck!

patches4392 12-03-2025 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dv657172 (Post 6590889)
Trying to plan for a few upgrades over the winter for my 65 GTO dedicated drag car.

Car has stock front Control Arms, stock springs front and rear (unknown specs), Lakewood 90/10 front shocks & 70/30 rear shocks, Hotchkiss Double Adjustable Upper rear control arms and boxed lower control arms. Car has been very consistent in 60' times and traction has not been an issue off the line.

Considering upgrade my front control arms for more adjustability and weight reduction.

At rest the car has basically zero camber and slight negative toe. However, lifting the front end 2.75" which is full suspension travel my camber goes to -2.6 DS and -1.1 PS while Toe goes to 1.12 positive on both DS and PS.

Thoughts, suggestions, recommendations all welcome.
I have looked at UMI, Global West and TRZ sets.

Thanks
DV

Check with Smith Racecraft in Dallas. They build a bunch of stuff that's bad to the bone.

gman005 12-06-2025 05:13 PM

I have the factory spindles on my car.

dv657172 12-06-2025 05:36 PM

gman005 - Did you need to install a Bump Steer Kit also?

Skip Fix 12-06-2025 08:27 PM

I think Global West makes some new steering arms that bolt to the spindle that deal with bump steer.
https://www.globalwest.net/product/a...air-bumpsteer/


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